Leah Song

Leah Song
Leah Song in 2010 in New Orleans.
Background information
Birth name	Leah Smith
Born	Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Origin	New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Genres	Folk music Roots music Southern soul World music
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, banjo, fiddle, guitar
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Independent
Associated acts	Rising Appalachia

Leah Song (born Leah Smith) is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumental musician, storyteller, poet, and activist known her role as front woman in Rising Appalachia, with her sister Chloe Smith, incorporating sultry vocals, rhythm, banjo, guitar, ballads, dance, spoken-word and storytelling into her work. Her music is based in the traditions of Southern soul and international roots music.

Song engages in social activism and is involved with the environment, food justice, human rights and prisons. She has been a speaker at TEDx in Asheville, North Carolina.

Leah Smith was born and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia in an artistic family. Her father, Andrew Hunter Smith, was a folk-sculptor and painter. Her mother, Jan Smith, was a jazz pianist and folk musician schooled in the traditions of southern Appalachian folk music who played fiddle with the Rosin Sisters.

Her musical education was nurtured by her mother, who ensured that both sisters received classical and jazz piano training for the most of their upbringing. Smith's mother also guided their training in vocals and harmony singing. Banjo, fiddle and guitar came later, after the sisters had left home and moved to Asheville, North Carolina.